World Cup 2018 continues today as the final games of the opening round of fixtures take place.

Colombia face Japan in Group H at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk, Russia, live on BBC One.

The sides also met in the group stage of the last World Cup, when Colombia claimed an emphatic 4-1 win to ensure they topped a table also containing Greece and the Ivory Coast, while Japan finished at the foot with just a solitary point.

The teams had gone in level after current Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki’s injury-time strike cancelled out Juan Cuadrado’s penalty, but the South Americans were able to pull away in the second half thanks to a brace by Jackson Martinez and a late effort from Golden Boot-winner James Rodriguez.

Jose Pekerman’s men went on to reach the quarter-finals, where they were beaten 2-1 by hosts Brazil, and will fancy their chances of at least going beyond the group stage once again.

Blackburn host Newcastle in a FA Cup third round replay at Ewood Park this evening. Matt Ritchie’s late penalty spared the Premier League side’s blushes when the two met in Newcastle ten days ago. Blackburn have won just two of… Read more